Celery display case



June 5, 1934. R. 01-: HAAN CELERY DISPLAY CASE Filed Oct. 19, 1931 INVENTOR fizz us De Had/7 W ATTORNEYS Patented June 5, 1934 PATENT OFFICE CELERY DISPLAY CASE Rufus De Haan, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Application October 19,

3 Claims.

The objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a dispensing show case for celery that is conveniently accessible and will at the same time keep the celery fresh for a considerable period.

Second, to provide in such a dispensing show case improved means of supporting the celery in displayed position.

Third, to provide in such a structure expeditious means of deliverying celery stalk by stalk wihout exposing the contents of the case.

Further objects will appear from the detailed description to follow. A preferred embodiment is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my improved celery dispensing show case supported easel-wise on a counter.

Fig. 2 is an enlargement of Fig. 1, being a front elevation view of the show case with the front door open, portions being shown in section to show details of the dispensing door and its closing means, the door and follower being shown partially in section.

Fig. 3 is a detail transverse sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the follower.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view on a line similar to Fig. 3 showing details of the double wall box and a modification of the spring compression and follow means.

The parts will be identified by their numerals of reference.

1 is the double walled box. 2 is an easel support for the same to hold the case in uprightposition. 3 is the close fitting front door provided with windows of celluloid 4 or other transparent material. The door is provided with a latch 31 and is flanged at 32 to fit substantially air tight. The end of the box is provided with an inclined floor section 5 which forms a compartment 6 in which is disposed'a sponge or like material 7 for saturation with water.

A follower 8 of substantially the length of the side of the box is provided to press laterally against the side of the mass of celery stalks 9 as seen in Fig. 2. The follower is provided with hooks 91 at the top and bottom and opposed hooks 92 are provided on the opposite side of the box; Rubber bands 10 extend between these loops at top and bottom. Loops 93 are provided at the side of the case to be engaged by the lower rubber bands 10 to hold the follower in position while the celery is being placed within the case. It will be found very expeditious, however, simply to grasp the follower 8 and the side of the case in the hand and hold the parts in place while the celery is being introduced.

In the bottom end of the box 1, I form a door- 1931, Serial No. 569,676

way 11 which is closed by small hinged door 12 held by the latch 13 which slides up the incline catch 14 and clamps the door conveniently and securely in place.

In Fig. 5 I detail the double walls which are held in spaced relation by short sections of rod 15. In that figure I show coiled springs 16 substituted for the rubber bands 10.

I have described my improved display case in the form preferred by me. I am aware that it can be greatly modified in its details. I wish to claim the invention specifically and also broadly, as pointed out in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a celery show case, a double walled metal case having means to support it upright, a transparent close-fitting front door therefor, a limited doorway in the bottom having a close-fitting hinged door therefor, an inclined floor section spaced from the lower end of said case delivering downwardly to said limited doorway, a follower at one side of the said case, and elastic means connecting the said follower to the opposite side of the case to maintain the celery stalks in upright position and carry them to the delivery position.

2. In a celery show case, a case having means to support it upright, a front door therefor, a limited doorway in the bottom having a. close-fitting hinged door therefor, an inclined floor section spaced from the lower end of said case delivering downwardly to said limited doorway, a follower at one side of the said case, and elastic means connecting the said follower to the opposite side of the case to maintain the celery stalks in upright position and carry them to the delivery position to be discharged butt downward.

3. In a celery show case, a case adapted to stand in upright position, a front door therefor, a limited doorway in the bottom in proximity to one side wall, a close fitting door therefor adapted to open beneath the said case, means to maintain celery stalks in the said case in upright position with butts down, and a follower with elastic supporting means positioned to force the said celery stalks into vertical position above the said limited doorway whereby they may be withdrawn successively downwardly through the said doorway.

RUFUS DE HAAN. 

